What Happens Next

Once a crime has been reported to police, they will review the information and decide what action to take. If police choose to proceed with an investigation, depending on the type of crime, it may take time before they update you about the case. Therefore, if at any time you have questions or would like to know the status of the case, please contact the police.

Victim Service Worker

Victims can also talk with a victim service worker, who can provide information about the role of police and help you find out information about your case. If you would like additional support and information that victim services can provide, call VictimLinkBC.

Making a Police Statement

When you report a crime to police, you will be asked to make a statement. Police will ask you to describe what happened and to tell them any other information you know. Your statement is an important part of the evidence police will need to investigate what happened. For more information about making a statement, visit Making a Police Statement (Victim) and Making a Police Statement (Witness).

Once you give an initial statement, write down and keep the police case or file number and the officer’s name and contact information for further communications. If you have any questions or concerns, it will be easiest to talk to the same officer, as they will be familiar with you and the case.

The Investigation

If police decide to investigate, they will gather information from the victim(s), witnesses and others as required. They will also collect any physical evidence that may be relevant to the case.  For more information about the investigation, see Investigating the Crime.

Victim Notification Service

As a victim of crime, you can also register with the Victim Safety Unit to receive updates about the status of the accused or offender. Visit Victim Notification for more information.

More Information

For more information, please visit:

• How the Criminal Justice System Works
• Youth Justice